Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

"Uncle, you are too kind! We did not forge the imperial edict." Li Tai looked excited, with fanatical light flashing in his eyes.

"During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao forged a secret imperial decree, summoning all heroes to the capital to defend the country and eliminate the enemy. Although Cao Cao was a treacherous hero, he was also a passionate patriot. Although the secret decree he passed on was a fake, who can say he didn't convey Emperor Xian of Han's true intentions?"

Li Tai grew increasingly excited as he spoke, pacing back and forth in the room, his voice trembling. "Uncle, this is exactly what we did. Father simply passed away suddenly and didn't say what he wanted to say. We simply expressed his original intention. How can we be accused of forging the imperial edict?"

He paused, a sly look flashing in his eyes, and continued, "Besides, my father dislikes the crown prince and has his eyes on me. This is a well-known fact to the court and the people. As long as my uncle helps me, I can guarantee that he will still be a high-ranking official after I ascend to the throne. The Changsun family is also my mother's family, so naturally, we will be rich and prosperous forever!"

As Changsun Wuji listened to Li Tai's words, his brows twitched unconsciously, and he secretly sighed in his heart that Li Tai was worthy of being Li Shimin's favorite son. No one in the Tang Dynasty could match his skill in sophistry.

His face was as gloomy as water, and his eyes were as sharp as torches as he stared at Li Tai. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Your Highness, Prince of Wei, please be careful with your words. I would like to ask if Your Highness, Prince of Wei, has made any preparations?"

When Li Tai heard what Changsun Wuji said, his face immediately showed joy. He knew that Changsun Wuji had given in.

He hurried forward, his eyes full of excitement: "Uncle, don't worry. The Cui family of Qinghe, the Wang family of Taiyuan, and the Lu family of Fanyang have already promised me that they will fully support me."

He smiled triumphantly, as if he had already seen the throne beckoning to him. "There are many people in the court who follow me. Even Fang Xuanling's son Fang Yiai will hold the position of prime minister. With your help, uncle, this matter will be very successful!"

Looking at Li Tai's excitement, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

These royal children live a life of luxury in the palace and still don't understand the methods of these old families. How could they sincerely help? They just want to use Li Tai.

However, Changsun Wuji did not care. He believed that under his planning, the Changsun family would become a new aristocratic family and would far surpass those old aristocratic families in the future.

He nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Your Highness, Prince of Wei, I am willing to lend a hand. If you have any requests, please let me know."

……

It was midnight, and the city of Chang'an was silent. Darkness enveloped the streets and alleys, with only the occasional sound of night watchmen echoing in the air.

Cheng Yaojin was carrying a large sack on his back. The sack was bulging with a life-size model of Li Shimin meticulously crafted by Sun Simiao.

Together with Li Ji, Fang Xuanling, Sun Simiao and Yuchi Jingde, he hurriedly requested to see His Majesty one last time.

They were all important officials in the court with extremely high prestige. Although Changsun Wuji wanted to stop them, he knew that he could not. After all, even if the news of His Majesty's death was kept secret, these people would definitely have known it with their abilities.

Listening to the report from the palace guards, Changsun Wuji frowned, thought for a moment, waved his hand, and let several people enter the palace.

Li Shimin's body was placed in the Daming Palace, with flickering candlelight all around, adding to the solemnity. As soon as everyone entered the palace, they immediately knelt on the ground, and suddenly, the sound of wailing resounded throughout the Daming Palace.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Fang Xuanling burst into tears, his voice mournful, "Why did you leave so early?"

He cried and beat the ground with his hands, as if he wanted to vent his sorrow in this way.

"I, an old minister, have not had the chance to assist Your Majesty and accomplish great achievements that will last for generations!" He cried heartbrokenly and finally collapsed to the ground.

Cheng Yaojin, Li Ji and Yuchi Jingde were not willing to be outdone. The cries from their rough voices were like thunder, drowning out Fang Xuanling's cries with the howling of ghosts and wolves.

Cheng Yaojin cried until his face turned red and tears streamed down his face. He cried and shouted, "Your Majesty, how could you abandon us, your old ministers?"

Li Ji was also in tears, and kept saying that he was reluctant to leave His Majesty. Yuchi Jingde was beating his chest and stamping his feet, and he looked so sad as if the sky had fallen.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs and maids of Daming Palace gathered around with tears in their eyes.

"Prime Minister Fang, General Cheng, General Li, and General Yuchi, express your condolences!"

They comforted him softly, but their voices trembled slightly with sadness.

Cheng Yaojin waved his hands and cried, "You all go down first. We are your Majesty's subjects and we still have a lot to say!" There was a hint of unquestionableness in his eyes.

"The legendary doctor Sun Simiao is also here. He has a method to preserve your majesty's body for a long time. You all should withdraw first!"

The eunuchs and maids looked at each other and knew that these important ministers had a deep friendship with His Majesty, so they didn't say anything more.

"Yes!"

They responded and then slowly walked out of the hall.

Only these few old ministers were left in the Daming Palace. Fang Xuanling cried and found that his voice had been completely drowned out by these military generals. He wiped his tears and stopped crying.

He looked at the big men and gave them a look. They immediately understood and burst into tears. The sound was louder than before, like surging waves. The crying voices went straight to the outside of the Daming Palace and echoed between the palace walls, as if they wanted the whole Chang'an City to feel their grief.

The mood was so grief-stricken that even the eunuchs and maids guarding the door could not help but feel deeply saddened by the death of His Majesty. They also sobbed softly, and the entire Daming Palace was shrouded in a sad atmosphere.

Fang Xuanling took Sun Simiao to the front of Li Shimin's body. Sun Simiao looked solemn. He first pressed a few acupoints on Li Shimin's body with skillful and precise techniques.

Then, he pulled out the antidote for the Turtle Breathing Pill from his pocket. He carefully placed it in a small, delicate bottle. He opened the bottle cap and poured the antidote into a small bowl. After gently rinsing it with water, he used a small spoon to gently pour it into Li Shimin's mouth, moving with great care, fearing even the slightest mistake.

In a moment, Li Shimin, who was supposed to be a corpse, began to cough slightly. The sound was particularly clear in the silent hall.

His pale face slowly began to soften and turn rosy, as if life had returned to his body.

Until he opened his eyes, he saw Fang Xuanling making a hushing gesture to him. Li Shimin understood, nodded gently, and then slowly crawled out of the coffin.

Cheng Yaojin was still crying loudly. While crying, he took out the dummy from the sack quickly and covertly.

He put on Li Shimin's mourning robe on the mannequin, and the mannequin looked quite lifelike under the candlelight.

After changing, he handed Li Shimin a piece of silk clothing to change into. The whole process was completed in one go.

When everything was done, Cheng Yaojin's cries gradually faded. He took advantage of Li Ji's cries and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for putting you in the sack. I, Old Cheng, will carry you out of the palace!"

Li Shimin nodded, his eyes full of gratitude. He patted Cheng Yaojin on the shoulder and said, "Thank you for your hard work, my dear!"

By the time the group swaggered out of the palace and returned to the Duke of Ying's Mansion, it was already getting light. At five o'clock in the morning, Chang'an City began to come to life, and the early risers had already begun to prepare for the new day.

Everyone quickly untied the sack on Cheng Yaojin and released Li Shimin.

Fang Xuanling's eyes filled with tears. He fell to his knees with a plop, his voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty, why are you doing this?"

Li Shimin smiled and shook his head. His smile was filled with a hint of fatigue and relief. "My dear Lord Fang, please get up quickly. Li Ji, go get me something to eat. I'm starving!

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will have my servants bring some food right away."

Li Ji replied respectfully.

He turned around and was about to go out to prepare meals for Li Shimin, but was stopped by Sun Simiao.

"General Li, please prepare some liquid food for His Majesty. Soup or porridge would be best. His Majesty cannot eat meat right now!"

Sun Simiao said with a serious expression.

He stroked his gray beard and looked at Li Ji seriously.

Li Ji nodded solemnly: "Understood, Divine Doctor Sun."

Then he gently pushed the door open and went in to arrange the meal.

Li Shimin sat on the bed, feeling weak all over and without any strength.

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde stood on either side, one on the left and the other on the right, like two door gods, watching Sun Simiao taking the emperor's pulse without blinking.

Sun Simiao stroked his graying beard and said, "Don't worry, everyone. His Majesty is fine. He just hasn't eaten for a long time and his body is weak. As long as he eats something, he will be well in two days!"

His words undoubtedly gave everyone a reassurance, and everyone's anxious hearts were finally relieved a little.

Li Shimin looked at Fang Xuanling and asked slowly, "Lord Fang, has there been any trouble in Chang'an since my death?"

Fang Xuanling frowned, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes: "Your Majesty, you can say there is trouble, or you can say there is no trouble. The whole of Chang'an is too peaceful, so peaceful that everyone thinks Your Majesty is still alive."

He paused, then continued, "Not a single ripple has been reported. Lord Changsun has sealed the palace gates and kept the news of the death a secret. I'm afraid the officials in the court still don't know that His Majesty has passed away."

"I guess only a few people know that His Majesty has passed away!"

Hearing Fang Xuanling's words, Li Shimin felt a little relieved. He nodded and said, "Fuji is indeed a seasoned and experienced strategist. He has arranged my affairs after my death so well. I wonder if the Crown Prince knows about my death."

After hearing Li Shimin's words, everyone looked at each other with a complicated look in their eyes.

Seeing their expressions, Li Shimin probably knew the answer. His face suddenly darkened. "That rebellious son hasn't reacted yet, has he? He has no interest in state affairs and spends his days idling around."

There was a flash of anger and disappointment in his eyes.

"But I don't understand. It's been a day since I passed away, and that rebellious son is in Xianyang. Even if Zhangsun Wuji had sent someone to notify him, he should have known by now and rushed back to the palace to inherit the throne. Why is there still no news?"

As he spoke, Li Shimin's face became terribly gloomy, as if a storm was about to come.

Seeing Li Shimin's bad expression, Cheng Yaojin hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, perhaps the news won't arrive until tomorrow. Why don't we wait and see?"

After hearing Cheng Yaojin's words, Li Shimin's expression improved slightly, but there was still a trace of gloom in his eyes.